Nov. 18, 2009

SAN DIEGO - San Diego State Game Notes | SDSU Broadcast Flip Card | Santa Clara Game Notes

Santa Clara (2-0/0-0 WCC) at San Diego State (1-1/0-0 MWC)

Television: None
Radio: AM 600 KOGO - Ted Leitner (play-by-play).

San Diego State Returns to Viejas Arena to Play Host to Santa Clara in First Game of West Coast Classic
San Diego State looks to rebound from a 22-point loss at Saint Mary's late Monday night when it plays host to Santa Clara on Thursday, Nov. 19, at Viejas Arena. The contest is the first of the inaugural four-game West Coast Classic, which is being hosted by Santa Clara. The game is set for a 7:05 p.m. PT start and can be heard in Southern California on AM 600 KOGO with Ted Leitner providing the play-by-play.

After an impressive 25-point victory over UC San Diego in the Aztecs' season opener, SDSU came out flat, trailed early and could not complete the comeback, despite shooting 50 percent in the second half, in its 80-58 loss to the Gaels in Moraga. Malcolm Thomas led the way for a second consecutive game with his team-high 14 points and eight rebounds, while D.J. Gay and Billy White, who was playing in his first game of the season, had 10 points apiece. Tyrone Shelley also made his regular-season debut at Saint Mary's and contributed six points, six rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes off the bench.

The game marks San Diego State's third in six days and the rapid pace slows a bit after the tilt as the Aztecs will next be in action on Monday, Nov. 23, when they play in game No. 2 of the West Coast Classic at Fresno State. Other West Coast Classic games include match-ups at Pacific (Nov. 25) and vs. Northern Arizona (Nov. 28).

Game Tidbits
* San Diego State is looking to prevent its first two-game November losing streak since the 2002-03 season when it started the campaign with an 0-2 record. The Aztecs have gone 37 straight games in the month of November without dropping two in a row.

* SDSU is also looking to prevent its first two-game losing skid since falling at New Mexico and vs. Brigham Young in successive outings last year. It has been 12 games since that mini-slump.

* San Diego State has responded well after losses in recent memory. Since losing at Florida in the first round of the 2008 NIT, the Aztecs have posted a record of 8-2 after suffering a loss.

* The Aztecs will be playing at home, a place where opponents rarely walk away with a victory. San Diego State has won nine in a row and 16 of their last 18 against non-conference opponents. SDSU has also won 10 straight against unranked non-MWC schools.